Way of the Fist

Following our last episode about how many kata do you really need, Jonathan and Michael take things in a different direction and hold a March Madness style kata tournament to decide, not our favorite kata, but that one kata we would keep if we could only train one kata. This week, we take our top eight kata in a bracket style face off to see who goes to the semifinals. Stay tuned until the end of...

In our first episode of 2025, Jonathan and Michael give an update on recent activities and then give their ideas in response to a recent podcast episode by Tuari Dawson of the Invisible Sensei Podcast about how many kata do you really need. You can listen to that episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5337EwWle34cmkymzuVUKu?si=9cdc8432602942f7 Way of the Fist: Instagram: https://www.instag...

In a follow up discussion to our first discussion about testing (Episode 012) Michael and Jonathan answer a listener question about testing requirements and the differences between testing in the West versus testing in Japan. Beware: there are some "emphatic" sentiments expressed.... Way of the Fist: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wayofthefist.2018/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.c...

In the midst of the Paris Olympics, Michael and Jonathan discuss the impact of combat sports becoming Olympic events. Way of the Fist: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wayofthefist.2018/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wayofthefist.2018/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wayofthefist.2018 Email: wayofthefist2018@gmail.com Way of the Fist is brought to you by co-host Michael Hagen, chief ins...

After a short hiatus, Michael and Jonathan are back! This week we discuss when students have difficulty visualizing and working through applications or have difficulty doing techniques because they don't have an understanding of the techniques in the kata. Way of the Fist: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wayofthefist.2018/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wayofthefist.2018/ Youtube: htt...

*** SPOILER WARNING*** This week Michael and Jonathan give a deep dive into the FX/Hulu show Shogun. If you haven't yet seen it, give this episode a pass until you can watch the show. Calligraphy by Mizai_sho as seen in the show: https://www.instagram.com/mizai_sho?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Way of the Fist: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wayofthefist.2018/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/...

This week Michael and Jonathan dive into "Amazon Prime Karate". Way of the Fist: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wayofthefist.2018/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wayofthefist.2018/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wayofthefist.2018 Email: wayofthefist2018@gmail.com Way of the Fist is brought to you by co-host Michael Hagen, chief instructor at Apex Karate Performance. Michael...

Michael and Jonathan start off but giving a short spoiler free preview of the first two episodes of "Shogun" and then dive into a question Jonathan was asked....if you could combine two martial arts, what would they be. Way of the Fist: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wayofthefist.2018/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wayofthefist.2018/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wayofthef...

In response to a question from a listener, this week we talk about how we structure and run class in a "traditional" karate dojo. Way of the Fist: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wayofthefist.2018/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wayofthefist.2018/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wayofthefist.2018 Email: wayofthefist2018@gmail.com Way of the Fist is brought to you by co-host Mi...

In response to a question from a listener, this week we talk about a topic that we haven't touched on before, the role of firearms in self defense. Remember, our opinions are ours alone. Do your research, consider your own personal situation, and make up your own mind. Way of the Fist: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wayofthefist.2018/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wayofthefist.2018/...

We had an issue with the audio at the end of the episode, but we fixed it and re-uploaded the episode. For the first episode of 2024, Michael and Jonathan recap their 2023 karate and an after action of Jonathan's October trip to Okinawa with students from his dojo. Here is the link to the article Michael mentioned about training in Japan: https://gojuryu.net/2023/08/31/japan-training-expeditio...

This week Michael is joined (in person!!) by Jonathan (again!! yay!!) for a discussion about getting attitude, over familiarity and setting expectations in the dojo. JFT!! Way of the Fist: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wayofthefist.2018/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wayofthefist.2018/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wayofthefist.2018 Email: wayofthefist2018@gmail.com Way of the Fist...

This week Michael is joined (in person!!) by Jonathan (jetlag!!) for an amazing karate conversation! This week we discuss the IOC's decision to not include karate as a sport in the 2028 LA Olympic Games. Way of the Fist: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wayofthefist.2018/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wayofthefist.2018/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wayofthefist.2018 Email: wayoft...

This week Michael is joined by our dear friends James and Malia!! Way of the Fist: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wayofthefist.2018/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wayofthefist.2018/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wayofthefist.2018 Email: wayofthefist2018@gmail.com Way of the Fist is brought to you by co-host Michael Hagen, chief instructor at Apex Karate Performance. Michael trains i...

This week Jonathan and Michael discuss strength training and fitness and how it applies to your martial arts training. Way of the Fist: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wayofthefist.2018/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wayofthefist.2018/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wayofthefist.2018 Email: wayofthefist2018@gmail.com Way of the Fist is brought to you by co-host Michael Hagen, chief in...

What are you willing to give up in the pursuit of knowledge? Way of the Fist: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wayofthefist.2018/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wayofthefist.2018/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wayofthefist.2018 Email: wayofthefist2018@gmail.com Way of the Fist is brought to you by co-host Michael Hagen, chief instructor at Apex Karate Performance. Michael trains in Shi...

The definitive Way of the Fist GOJU episode! Check it out!!! Way of the Fist: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wayofthefist.2018/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wayofthefist.2018/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wayofthefist.2018 Email: wayofthefist2018@gmail.com Way of the Fist is brought to you by co-host Michael Hagen, chief instructor at Apex Karate Performance. Michael trains in Shi...

Do you wanna be the head of the chicken or tail of the dragon. Way of the Fist: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wayofthefist.2018/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wayofthefist.2018/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wayofthefist.2018 Email: wayofthefist2018@gmail.com Way of the Fist is brought to you by co-host Michael Hagen, chief instructor at Apex Karate Performance. Michael trains in S...

This week Michael and Jonathan respond to an email question from a listneer about what is "real" karate?!? Way of the Fist: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wayofthefist.2018/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wayofthefist.2018/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wayofthefist.2018 Email: wayofthefist2018@gmail.com Way of the Fist is brought to you by co-host Michael Hagen, chief inst...

This week Michael and Jonathan catch up on some recent events, USA-NKF Nationals and Michael's recent adventures in Okinawa. Way of the Fist: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wayofthefist.2018/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wayofthefist.2018/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wayofthefist.2018 Email: wayofthefist2018@gmail.com Way of the Fist is brought to you by co-host Michael Hagen...

In this week's episode, Michael and Jonathan discuss the use of shime, how it's supposed to be done correctly and some of the way we see it being done in other styles. Way of the Fist: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wayofthefist.2018/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wayofthefist.2018/ Email: wayofthefist2018@gmail.com Way of the Fist is brought to you by co-host Michael Hagen, chi...

In this week's episode, Michael and Jonathan discuss some feedback from an earlier episode, and discuss whether a martial art remains a martial art if you remove the application (bunkai) aspects. Way of the Fist: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wayofthefist.2018/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wayofthefist.2018/ Email: wayofthefist2018@gmail.com Way of the Fist is brought to you by co...

This week Jonathan shares some of his adventures training in Okinawa and traveling to Kyoto and Tokyo with his family. Way of the Fist: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wayofthefist.2018/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wayofthefist.2018/ Email: wayofthefist2018@gmail.com Way of the Fist is brought to you by co-host Michael Hagen, chief instructor at Apex Karate Performance. Michael trains...

This week Jonathan and Michael talk about women's self defense courses... Sentinel: Become the Agent in Charge of Your Own Protection Detail by Patrick McNamara https://www.amazon.com/Sentinel-Become-Charge-Protection-Detail-ebook/dp/B079J4R8X1/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1685472345&sr=8-1 Way of the Fist: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wayofthefist.2018/ Facebook: ht...

This week Jonathan and Michael discuss getting older, things that should change as you get older and things that you should be focusing more on in your training. Way of the Fist: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wayofthefist.2018/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wayofthefist.2018/ Way of the Fist is brought to you by co-host Michael Hagen, chief instructor at Apex Karate Performance. Michae...